Swimming during menstruation—yes, yes, and yes again!

Today, medical experts agree that there are no reasons to avoid swimming during menstruation, as a woman's body is ideally designed to allow her to swim during her period.

For example, when a woman enters the water, her body is subjected to pressure. Because the vagina is a cavity, due to this pressure, water cannot enter the vagina and blood cannot exit the vagina during swimming.

Swimming in bodies of water during menstruation also has no negative impact on health or the body. It can even be beneficial, as warm water relaxes muscles and reduces uterine spasms. Swimming in bodies of water is not dangerous and does not cause infection or inflammation if proper hygiene is maintained after swimming or if special period swimwear is used.

Some women use tampons or menstrual cups for swimming during menstruation, but these products are not convenient to use, especially at the beach, as they need to be changed immediately after swimming, which can often lead to unexpected inconveniences! Otherwise, not changing the products can lead to a risk of infections or inflammation.

For example, wearing tampons for too long can cause toxic shock syndrome! 

Convenient alternatives to tampons and menstrual cups

Speaking of more convenient practices, an alternative to the aforementioned menstrual products can be the latest innovation—period swimwear.

So what's this latest innovation? I recently learned that manufacturers of period underwear have started offering swimsuits designed for women to wear specifically during their periods, enabling women to feel free in the water, pool, or even in the sauna. A key feature of many swimsuits is a special or exclusive, patented gusset that absorbs blood without absorbing water during swimming. I was intrigued by this novelty, so I decided to find out: how do these period swimsuits work? What makes them special?

How do period swimsuits work?

As I continued to research period swimwear and swimsuits, I became familiar with the principles of how the gussets of "Modibodi" menstrual swim briefs are made.

Usually, the gussets of the briefs are made of several layers of fabric that:

• Absorb liquid — a special textured absorbent layer helps keep blood inside;
• Are moisture-proof — an internal waterproof layer prevents leakage, acting as a water-resistant barrier;
• Reduce odor and bacterial growth — a special gusset has antibacterial properties.

I also learned that the briefs and swimsuits are washable, making them a reusable alternative to conventional hygiene products like cups or tampons.

Will period swimwear work if bleeding is heavy?

Yes, period swimwear manufacturers have created swimsuits designed for very heavy periods as well. Usually, briefs and swimsuits are categorized into absorbency levels, which indicate the level of absorbency. I noticed that swimsuits often have several absorbency levels.

Is it hygienic to use them?

While researching period underwear and swimsuits, I kept asking myself—is it hygienic to use them every day? Eventually, I came to the conclusion—yes. It is hygienic to use them, but it is important to follow proper care instructions.

Care of period swimwear

Of all the period swimwear and underwear I've seen, product care seemed easy to me, no different from caring for regular underwear. The care guidelines from one of the underwear manufacturers are as follows:

• After use, rinse in cold water to remove any blood residue;

• Wash in a washing machine at 30°C, without fabric softener, which can reduce the absorbent effect, and without bleach, to avoid affecting color and structure;

• Leave to air dry – tumble drying is not recommended as it can damage the fabric structure.

Summary

I use period underwear and period swimsuits myself and recommend them to others, due to their ability to contain and collect menstrual blood or address incontinence issues. This time is no exception, especially with summer already here, and the desire or plans to be in or near water during menstruation remain, so a period swimsuit can truly be perfect for women and girls of all ages.

I encourage you not to limit yourself and to discover new ways to feel safe and comfortable in the water during your period, whether it's a swimming pool, the sea, or one of our magical Lithuanian lakes.